Soboba’s Cultural Resource Department revitalized the Fiesta in 2008 after a long hiatus. Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Joseph Ontiveros said the event gets bigger every year. The Fiesta Committee began planning for this year’s event in November. Members Harold Arres, Steven Lopez, Joseph Ontiveros, Renee Rhodes, Andy Silvas, Annalisa Tucker, and Jessica Valdez worked in collaboration to make sure everything was ready to greet visitors from all over.

The $ovóova Po’$wáamay (Daughter of Soboba) committee is overseeing three candidates vying for this year’s title. They are Se’ish Morillo, So’a Nelson, and Raya Salgado. Carrie Garcia, one of the board members, said the current program was formed a few years ago and the group spent a couple of years figuring out exactly what they wanted to do. Soboba used to host a Fiesta Maiden Contest but that ended in 1970.

“We wanted to bring back our cultural traditions and be able to represent our Tribe and people in a more positive manner, so we created this program and we’ve been taking the girls out to do things,” Garcia said. On May 30 the girls will join committee members in the mountains to teach them how to identify plants and talk about their uses. They also plan to pick soaproot bulbs from which they will learn how to make soaproot brushes that are used in the making of wewish, a traditional staple made from acorns.

The current $ovóova Po’$wáamay, Su’la Arviso, is looking forward to helping guide these young women through various activities leading up to the crowning ceremony in October. She introduced each one to say a few words.

“I would like to be the 2026-2027 Daughter of Soboba because I want to represent Soboba with pride, strength, and authenticity,” Se’ish said.

So’a said she grew up around the culture and it’s important to her to pass it down to the next generation. Raya, who competed against Su’la last year, said she really wants to give back to her community.

The Soboba Elders hosted bingo games inside the gymnasium and graciously supplied all the baked goods available for kids to win during the cakewalk. A horseshoe tournament, one-pitch softball games, a three-legged race, tug of war, and a watermelon-eating contest were spread throughout the day. Peon games began at dusk and continued into the night. Birdsingers and dancers from all over were invited to the microphones at the center of the handmade ramada arena to share their songs.

Students from the Soboba Tribal Preschool and kindergarten sang three songs in Luiseño, each introduced by teacher Julissa Garcia who thanked Soboba Tribal Council Secretary Monica Herrera and Chámmakilawish Pechanga School Principal Andrew Masiel for sharing their knowledge with the teachers so the songs could be taught to the children.

After a song about working together to clean up, they sang “noyo nopush nonaq” which translates to “my head, my eyes, my ears.” “Our third and final song we call ‘Hethi Nakki’ or ‘open shut’ where students sing while following along with their hands,” Garcia said.

The annual salsa and tortilla contests were popular again this year with tasters voting on 11 unique salsas and seven tortilla entries. Cultural Resource Specialist Jessica Valdez was helping at the booth and said there were no restrictions as to what type of salsa the contestants could enter. New this year was the awarding of trophies as well as $250 to the winners in each category. Ruby Arrietta received the most votes for her salsa and Rose Vera was the top vote getter for her fresh tortillas.

Darius Cabudol chose a salsa he said had a lot of flavor but wasn’t too hot while Ashwet Arellano, 6, liked one that was more saucy than chunky. Clyde Wilcox cast his vote for one of the spicier salsas while Deanne Wilcox cast her vote for what turned out to be the winner.

“I liked the citrus taste, and it didn’t have cilantro,” she said. She chose a tortilla that was not too thin or thick and said the one she liked best had the perfect tortilla taste. “I was looking around for some refried beans to put on it,” she said with a smile.

Several Soboba departments and partners were represented at information booths, with many offering fun freebies and some games for the youngest visitors.

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English teacher Jacquelin Phillips oversees the process with a strict timeline that starts with them submitting their topic, outline and five research sources when the school year kicks off in August. They must write an essay of at least eight pages that includes a minimum of five reputable sources, two from tangible sources and three from the Internet.

Throughout September and October, they needed to provide an introduction and detailed information about the sources they were citing. November was a light month with only their title page and references in MLA format required. By December, students had to submit their first rough draft with the second draft due at the end of January and a final draft in February.

Based on their topic, students created a 10-20 slide PowerPoint slideshow that had to include pictures and animations, at least three different transitions, and one video or audio component. March 12 was the due date for their completed slideshow.

They had two days and 2.5 hours to practice their presentations. They were given as many opportunities as they wanted to present in front of other classes and teachers, or even after school.

Presentations had to be a minimum of 30 minutes and include at least three physical objects to enhance the effectiveness of their slideshow’s topic. Students were rated on their ability to answer questions from the audience and dress professionally and/or appropriately to their topic.

“Each component is worth 100 points, graded individually,” Phillips said. “Students must pass each component. Students are docked points for components not turned in by the due date or turned in late.”

Along with teachers and staff members attending the two days of public presentations on April 21 and 22, there were 4-5 panel members using a rubric to score each one. From knowledge of their subject to engagement with the audience, they were rated from 1-4 on various criteria.

Panelists included Brian Eddy of Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District; Michelle Steffani, who works in the field of renewable energy; Angel Bill with the Brown Descents Car Club Association nonprofit; and Camilo DeLaCueva of Bostik Inc.

“This is something I put on my calendar every year because I like to support the students and their teacher,” Eddy said. “It provides life skills they will always need by starting something and seeing it all the way through. Kudos to each and every one of them.”

Steffani said she looks forward to seeing the array of topics that the students choose and how much research is put into their projects. “I always keep their essays; they leave an impact on me,” she said.

“I’m also a business owner and I come out to give back to the youth,” Bill said. “This helps them prepare for life and I get something out of it every year in ways I don’t expect.”

DeLaCueva, a Marine Corps veteran, said this event provides valuable practice for youth to learn how to speak in front of strangers because they will have to do this for future job interviews and other experiences. “I love hearing young adults speak about what they learn; it’s important to be a lifelong learner,” he said.

Seniors and their topics who presented on the first day were Selaya Snow Helms, Northern California Tribal Ceremonies; Shawna Rivera, Gun Violence in Native Communities; Francisco Lemus Jr., Creative Expression: Native American Expression; and Ronald Morillo III, Land Back: Soboba Water Rights. Day two was dedicated to Leland Razon, Billy Corgan; Sophia Resvaloso, Climate Change; Serena Hawk, The History of Rodeo; and Edgar Gladin Jr., The Game of Football.

Selaya shared that Tribal ceremonies have been crucial to Native American communities since time immemorial. She explored the significance of cultural ceremonies amongst the Hupa, Yurok, and Karuk Tribes of Northern California. She detailed the dances, gender roles, ecological significance, and the meaning behind regalia that is worn. Animals and feathers play a huge role in regalia; plants and shell materials are important, too. “Every piece has a purpose and carries meaning that goes far beyond what is seen on the surface,” Selaya shared. She brought examples of some of the items used in cultural ceremonies as well as photos of herself taken with family members after participation, since photos are not allowed to be taken during a ceremony itself.

Shawna said her topic choice was based on the fact her own family became part of the tragic narrative when her uncle became a victim of gun violence two years ago. In the 1600s, firearms were initially introduced to Indians as a tool for survival, conflict, or political power among other Native communities and colonists. In modern times, guns continue to shape the way communities interact and are used for safety, and to fuel conflicts and power struggles. Native youth struggle with suicide at twice the national average among youth ages 10-24 and firearms play a big role in these tragedies. “Raising awareness about gun violence is a way to protect more lives, preserve more culture, and support the future of Native communities,” Shawna explained.

Francisco shared that creative expression is woven into our daily actions and choices and is not reserved to the arts, which is what most people think of when they hear the word creativity. “It’s what makes you unique and who you are,” he said. “There is no correct or wrong way to express yourself.” Because imagination fuels creativity, it can take many forms. Francisco discussed the work by Matika Wilber, a Native American photographer, whose Project 562 has become an unprecedented repository of imagery and oral histories from 562 federally recognized Tribes. Francisco wore a shirt that contained a specific colorful design that he created, and a friend helped him make. Each color has a specific meaning with a rainbow on the back to represent his family members.

Ronald explained that the term “Land Back” means to restore land and resources to its original intent. It is a movement to decolonize Indigenous people, which is not done without restoring the land itself; returning control back to the Native people and allowing them to start restoring their connection with the land. Through his research, Ronald found that the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians fought from the 1930s to 2008 to regain water rights that were taken from them. Soboba’s story reflects the core message of the Land Back movement, and “their journey from dispossession to restoration stands as a powerful reminder that Indigenous resilience is ongoing, and respecting Native sovereignty is essential for a just and sustainable future.”

Leland is a music fan who shared the background of singer, songwriter and The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan. He explained that the influential musician blended his deeply personal lyricism and real-life pain into something meaningful, creating a unique and dynamic atmosphere. Behind all his success in the 1990s, Corgan was “just a kid from Chicago using music as an escape from the abuse and trauma of his childhood.” On December 2, 2000, The Smashing Pumpkins played their final show, a four-hour concert at the Cabaret Metro, the same place where the band played their first show 12 years earlier. Corgan branched out into writing a poetry book, launched the Madame ZuZu’s tea company, and continues to sell his band’s merchandise sporting his alter ego of “Zero.”

Sophia has a very personal reason for exploring the subject of climate change. She has fond memories of spending time with family and friends at the creek that runs through The Oaks and has been dubbed “Soboba Beach.” It is fed by a river that flows from the San Bernardino Mountains to the edge of the Soboba Reservation. In the past three years, she has noticed a decrease in water due to less rainfall and other factors. “Climate change doesn’t just affect people, but also impacts animals, plants and resources leading to food scarcity,” Sophia shared. She also detailed things that can be done to combat climate change and offered a link to a carbon footprint calculator to learn more.

Serena explained the origin of rodeos from cowboys working in the cattle industry saying the word comes from the Spanish word “rodear” which generally means “to round up” cattle. Her grandfather was a cowboy. She said evidence suggests the first official rodeo was created in Colorado in 1869. Serena shared some photos and information about the first ladies of rodeo, including Lucille Mulhall, whose skills at roping and riding gave her the very first title of “cowgirl.” Serena said those who have never been exposed to animals through ranch life or farming think that roping competitions are a form of animal cruelty. However, experienced ranchers and farmers deal with these animals daily and know just how tough and resilient they can be.

Edgar, who has played 8-man football for the Noli Braves, said the game has taught him many important life lessons and skills. One is to be kind to teammates since it’s a team sport. “At the end of the day, it’s a game so you want to have fun,” he said. Playing the game takes commitment to strict schedules, healthy eating habits, and good sleep routines. Edgar shared the early beginnings of the game, the birth of professional football, and rules and varieties of the sport. He also delved into the life of Lamar Jackson who is widely regarded as one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks in league history. He is a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player and the NFL’s all-time leader in quarterback rushing yards.

The seniors did very well with their presentations and were comfortable and knowledgeable when answering questions that were posed to them. Noli Indian School’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for June 4 at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center.

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“For the 20th anniversary, our goal was to make the event feel truly rooted in the community,” Aceves said. “We focused on bringing in as many local vendors as possible to showcase the talent, culture, and spirit we have right here at home. More than anything, we wanted people to come together, enjoy a beautiful day, and celebrate what Earth Day is all about. In the end, we really did love the Earth together—and that sense of unity made the milestone feel extra special.”

Birdsingers from Torres Martinez started off the morning in traditional fashion while students from the Soboba Tribal Preschool performed “We Love the Earth” a little later to a very enthusiastic audience.

“We were thrilled to welcome community favorites like Gil’s Critters and the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, who always draw big smiles while teaching families about our native wildlife,” Aceves said. “Our food vendors included Native-owned gems like Frybread Kitchen and Papa Langos, who kept everyone happy with delicious handmade tortillas and Indian tacos.” The Soboba Youth Council provided root beer floats throughout the day.

The Green Coalition’s Wiggs and Ginger Mendoza were making their 20th appearance at the Earth Day event, providing free take-home succulents such as aloe vera to help promote the growth of native and sustainable plants.

“Giving away plants is part of our mission and part of what this day should be about,” Wiggs said. He explained to those at their stand that the aloe plant can be used as a moisturizer or hair treatment and explained how it can have medicinal properties for cuts and burns.

“The Green Coalition has been our longest-standing partner, and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued presence and support at Soboba Earth Day,” Aceves said. “Their commitment has really helped shape the event into what it is today.” For more information, https://greensanjacinto.org.

EMWD Public Affairs Specialist Allan Freetage shared the importance of not letting certain items go down household drains and offered sink strainers to visitors to help with that. “Our Hydration Station van is a great educational tool to show that tap water can be good,” he said as he offered free cups for guests to fill with cold water.

Climate Science Alliance made a strong showing with informative handouts for adults and fun activities for children at their booth. The organization’s goal is to work with communities to help Native lands survive. “We have trainings with different community partners to help share knowledge,” Grants and Partnership Manager Edgar Carrillo said. Education Program Manager Sarah Morgan said the most important thing is to stay connected as community-based solutions are best.

“There was also strong representation from neighboring Tribal Environmental Departments of Santa Rosa, Morongo, Pechanga, Augustine, and 29 Palms, highlighting the unity and collaboration across our Tribes,” Aceves said.

 Pechanga’s Director of Environmental Helen Waguiu was passionate about explaining the damage being incurred to local oak trees due to the invasive Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB). She shared details of how to look for them so they can be reported and dealt with before causing further harm. She readily explained how the impact of this pest is far reaching. A reduction in oak tree population threatens cultural practices; Coast Live Oak, which is one the GSOB targets, is known as a keystone species and plays a vital role in the local ecosystem; oaks provide food and habitat to thousands of species; and dead and dying oak trees contribute to dangerous levels of wildfire fuel.

Local universities such as CSUSB, UCR, and University of Redlands showcased their environmental programs, inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders.

“Alongside them were essential partnerships with local utilities, nonprofits, and agencies,” Aceves said. “It truly was a vibrant mix of organizations, creating a space where our community could learn, connect, and get inspired. Having such a wide variety of vendors made the day feel full, energized, and incredibly meaningful.”

Soboba Cultural Resource Department representatives Renee Rhodes, Jessica Valdez, and Lily Brandt shared how their Cultural Garden at The Oaks is rooted in tradition and why it’s important to protect the earth.

“Tribal culture is land based,” Valdez said. “Once depleted, we cannot practice our traditional way of life.”

Aceves spent much of his time at the STED check-in area to greet guests and make sure they got their tickets for a free meal, a raffle prize chance and a vote for the best student poster. He also visited each vendor to personally thank them for their participation.

Silvas interacted with guests, vendors and others throughout the four-hour event. She said she received a lot of positive feedback about the food, the 39 raffle prizes and all of the different activities for children to do, especially the bird walk that was provided by Robin Roberts. She enjoyed seeing community members interact with all the different vendors and seeing how large the event has grown.

“Another highlight for me was all of the community members, employees, and different departments that volunteered to help us put this all together,” Silvas said. “I’m very appreciative to have their support and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

The standout moment for Aceves was the sheer number of people who showed up.

“Every year our event grows, and with it, Soboba’s commitment to environmental stewardship shines even brighter,” he said. “Seeing the community arrive in droves—families, students, elders, everyone—really exemplifies their dedication to learning, caring for the land, and celebrating the earth together. That kind of turnout is the best reminder of why we put so much heart into this event.”

Activities leading up to the celebration included the invitation to have Soboba departments design creative displays using all recyclable materials and Noli Indian School science students collaborating on posters that depicted the theme of this year’s event.

One of Sabrina Smith’s classes won first place scoring a fun pizza party while all other classes were treated to an ice cream party. The winner is chosen by attendees who each receive a ticket to be placed in the bucket set up next to their favorite poster.

Soboba Housekeeping won first place once again this year with their “McLovin’ the Earth” McDonald’s restaurant theme.

Aceves said that as the event has grown, so has the planning timeline.

“These days, we’re preparing earlier and earlier to make sure everything comes together seamlessly,” he said. “For this year’s celebration, we started more than six months in advance. At this point, half of our department’s calendar revolves around Earth Day, but we love it. It’s a huge lift but seeing the community show up the way they did makes every bit of preparation worth it.”

He said the most important thing people can do to make every day Earth Day is to love it.

“This year I selected the theme ‘Love the Earth’ (‘Éxla ‘Omá’ma) so that people could reflect on why they love the earth,” Aceves said. “In the opening remarks I asked participants to reflect on why they love the earth, be it the mountains that ground you, the rivers that bring life, or just the feeling of fresh air after a long day. Whatever it is, hold onto it because what we love is what we protect.”

For information on upcoming STED events, please visit https://epa.soboba-nsn.gov.

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The original preschool was organized and founded by Ahmium Education Inc., a nonprofit organization started by Soboba Tribal Members including Ernie Salgado Jr. who served as Executive Director. The name means “children” in the Luiseño language.

Frank “Poncho” Maciel Sr. (husband of Ernest Sr.’s daughter Raina Salgado) served as the preschool’s director for 28 years. Early classes were held at the Soboba Tribal Hall. Later, Raina and Poncho transformed their first home into the Ahmium preschool. For many years, people on the Reservation referred to it as “the old preschool house,” which still stands today as their grandson Shawn Masiel’s renovated residence.

The Ahmium preschool ultimately had to close because increases in family income meant that many students no longer met the eligibility requirements set by the grant program. Once students were no longer eligible under those guidelines, the school could not continue to operate under that funding structure.

When the Ahmium preschool closed, no one was sure which direction the Tribe was going to go. Members of the Salgado family are glad they continued with the preschool and are happy with what it has grown into.

The Maciels’ children, Eustacia and Frank Jr., attended the preschool as well as all five of their grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, including great-grandsons Mav Vega and Malakai Masiel who are currently in kindergarten there.

Michael Diaz is the son of Frances Diaz, who is another one of Ernest Sr.’s daughters. He attended the preschool as did her granddaughter Nicole Diaz. Now Frances’ great-grandson Noah Mendoza is in pre-kindergarten.

Ernie Salgado Jr.’s granddaughter Ashley was a preschool student. Another granddaughter, Corryn Lee Salgado-Flores, sent her children there. Corryn’s son Ace Covington attended pre-K and kindergarten and her daughter (Ernie Jr.’s great-granddaughter) Love Lee Salgado-Flores is a kindergartner this year. She was a student last year as well.

Baseemah Arlene Salgado, daughter of the late Robert Salgado Sr., was a student there as was her daughter Shakoora Kabeer. Now her granddaughters are attending with Sumaya Muhammad in pre-K and Daiya Muhammad in the preschool class. Baseemah’s oldest granddaughter, Aisha Kabeer was a student there as well and was a member of the first kindergarten class that graduated from the new building, which was opened in 2014.

That makes six great-great grandchildren of Ernest Salgado Sr. and Fidelia Juarez Salgado that are currently at the Soboba Tribal Preschool.

Ernest Sr.’s third daughter, the late Rose Salgado, also saw family members attend the preschool, beginning with her daughter Desiree Salgado. And Desiree’s children Avellaka, Ataax, Ayalkawut and Tuupash Arviso, were all students there.

The attendance of so many children through the generations shows how deep and long lasting the family’s roots are.

Parents expressed that they value the school’s curriculum because it effectively prepares students for first grade placement or transition. They also appreciate the emphasis on their Indian cultural learning and the opportunity for their children to attend school with many of their relatives.

Aside from the great education received by young members of Ernest Sr.’s family, there are many other notable and fond memories that connect them to the school. The first job Ernie Jr.’s daughter Becky Salgado-Flores held was at the preschool in 1984. Her boss was Yvonne Silvas. Becky’s daughter Cynthia also held her first job at the Soboba Tribal Preschool in 2006.

From founders to students and beyond, the preschool at Soboba has been part of Ernest Salgado Sr.’s family story across five generations. The family has always encouraged and valued education and are very grateful to be part of the preschool’s heritage with the Soboba Tribe.

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Survivors have been given the opportunity to share their experiences to help others understand the true history of the boarding school experience. Through a cooperative agreement with the Department of the Interior, this unprecedented effort is a crucial part of the DOI’s Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative.

As Co-Directors of the Oral History Project, Kinnart and Brissette lead the strategic direction, implementation, and oversight of a national initiative to document Indian boarding school survivor histories. They manage monthly, week-long site visits across the country, each including an Opening Ceremony, an average of 24 survivor interviews, and a Closing Ceremony.

 Their responsibilities include national outreach and partnership development, coordination with Tribal Nations and federal partners, staff, and logistics management, and ensuring all work is conducted in a culturally grounded, healing-informed, and survivor-centered manner. They also oversee interview protocols, consent processes, and post-production efforts, including transcript review, video editing, and archival preparation for permanent collections.

“All interviews we received were a gift – Indian boarding school survivors and alumni do not owe their stories to anyone; however, our Oral History Project team provides a safe and sacred space to share their stories,” Brissette said. “We hear from relatives that have dealt with extreme trauma, and we hear stories of profound resilience and hope. We know and honor that ALL stories deserve to be heard. All our elders have stories to share.”

“There were counselors on hand to debrief, crafts, a quiet room and finished up with a glamor photo shoot for the participants to cherish,” Silvas said. “They took what might have been a tragic situation and gave them hope for healing. Seeing pictures on a slideshow and hearing actual stories through the eyes of those that attended these boarding schools was very heartfelt. I pray these families can start to heal.”

“Although she didn’t share many stories with us about her time there, she did tell us that her roommate was Sophie ‘Cuca’ Salazar of Soboba,” she said.

Mike Madrigal from the Cahuilla Band of Indians provided the opening and closing prayers for the week-long project. He thought it was nice that the opportunity was offered to those who wanted to share so they could process their experiences.

“Because of our Native ways, we know that gathering has a spiritual impact for everybody. It’s up to Creator to give people insight into whether they were going to participate and find a healing journey,” he said. “It’s about both healing and celebrating positive experiences; they can share all sides.”

Soboba Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado said although both of her parents attended boarding school at Sherman Indian School, her mother was too young to give testimony and her father did not want to participate.

“Both had good experiences though; they have built relationships with other Natives across the United States,” she said. “It’s important to tell the true history of what occurred at boarding schools. Sometimes sharing helps with the trauma. It’s time we tell our own stories and not let Hollywood or anyone for that matter speak on our behalf.”

Mojado said the project representatives shared a map of all the boarding schools in California, and she was shocked about how many there were. NABS created a first-of-its-kind interactive digital map that shows all the Indian boarding schools in the United States as well as all the residential schools in Canada. This major project took many years and was in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

“The work they are doing is really leading the movement for truth, justice and healing!” she said. “THE NABS crew mentioned that Soboba was one of the best hosts; Soboba Casino Resort staff and the facility were top notch.”

Each team member at the Coalition is connected to Indian boarding schools. Charlee Brissette’s mother, uncles, and cousins attended the boarding school in Harbor Springs, Michigan, known as Holy Childhood of Jesus School. That school ran until it was finally closed in 1983. Charlee, who started working with NABS as an Oral Historian, was fortunate enough to interview her mother for the Oral History Project.

Lacey Kinnart’s grandmother, great aunts and uncles, and cousins attended Indian boarding schools including Holy Childhood of Jesus School, Mt. Pleasant Industrial School, Flandreau Indian School, and Carlisle Industrial School.

The Oral History Project began site visits a little over two years ago – in March of 2024. The recording of oral histories is set to be completed at the end of June, at which point the team will transition to post-production to finalize and deliver all the interviews.

At its conclusion, NABS will have visited 22 sites across the country in 19 states, with nearly 400 survivors sharing their stories. The time where all interviews will be made available to the public through the Library of Congress has yet to be determined.

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) was officially incorporated in 2012 and was created to address the impacts of the U.S. Indian boarding school system.

“Our Education and Research Department has a project creating Volume 2 curriculum for elementary, middle, and high schools,” Brissette said. “The high school curriculum that matches education standards for Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington was recently released. Grade school and middle school are coming soon.”

The National Indian Boarding School Digital Archive (NIBSDA) is a large ongoing living being as the digital archive team continues to travel to archives across the U.S. to find and scan/digitize boarding school records, documents, photographs, and reports. More information on this project can be found at https://nibsda.elevator.umn.edu.

To learn more about the Oral History Project, please visit boardingschoolhealing.org/oral-history-project.

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The races started and finished at the football stadium field with Lambert Timmermans of Negative Split Running tracking times for the competitors. All results can be found at https://negativesplit.io. As a lifelong runner himself, along with his Hungarian Vizsla Zoe, Timmermans said what makes this NATRO event so attractive is that people who don’t live at Soboba can’t run the trails. “Being invited to come onto this land is a special treat,” he said.

NATRO was founded by Sheldon Subith to promote wellness and cultural connection through trail running. It aims to increase Native participation in trail running, often in collaboration with local tribes and organizations like Noli Indian School where Subith oversees the cross-country track team and an afterschool running club. His goal is to foster positive physical and mental health for Indigenous peoples.

“I tell the students that all their time spent running at school is training them for this annual event,” he said jokingly.

Several members of the Pechanga Band of Indians provided an opening blessing and Nukwáanish songs for 40-plus runners and their supportive friends and family members. Andy Masiel Jr. thanked Soboba Tribal Council, Noli Indian School and Subith for making this event possible.

“If you know Sheldon, it will be a tough race,” he said. “Running is a big part of our history with a lot of our ceremonies embedded with running. We want to send everyone out with a good mindset. Running on Native land you will have that relationship with the land.”

Chayo Arellano offered an explanation of one of the Nukwáanish songs after saying they were honored and thankful to be asked to be there. He shared that at the time of Creation, the world started transitioning and one of the first things people did was run and race each other, exploring their new strengths.

“As we run and enjoy our day, realize this is something that’s been going on since the very beginning,” he said.

Subith explained the course markings for each group and the route they would take, including through the canyon and down by the riverbed. Half marathon runner Nic Baldwin came from across the pond to enter the race. He traveled from the UK to attend the second weekend of the Coachella Music Festival but was looking for something to do before it began at 1 p.m. After just two hours of running time, he crossed the finish line with plenty of energy to spare. Baldwin, 42, said he normally does longer distances of 50K, considered to be a popular ultramarathon distance that is usually held on trails. “But this was quite special,” he said.

Just 15 minutes behind Baldwin was Native runner Joseph Sahagun, from the central valley’s Tule River Indian Tribe of California. This was his third year running in the half marathon. “I love it, it’s not only a good run but it challenges your drive and is good for your mental health,” he said. “I love the scenery of the mountains and the trees. When you get in the zone you appreciate the views, it’s all you see for hours.” The U.S. Army veteran completed a marathon in San Jose in December and said he likes to stay fit and active by running.

Soboba’s Mica Diaz last ran the NATRO race in 2024 and felt this year was a little more challenging, especially the hills. “I run here all the time for training, but this is the only race I do,” she said. Diaz was the first Native woman to complete the 5K race, at 37 minutes, 43 seconds.

Shawn Masiel said he runs the hills often and enjoyed being part of a good group to run with on this day.

Shakoora Kabeer was on the sidelines with her youngest children cheering on family members who were taking part in the races to support Sheldon and NATRO. She has two children who attend Soboba Tribal Preschool and one of them ran in the 3K, which began about 30 minutes after the first group of runners started.

“I bring my kids up here to run,” she said. “We usually come up during the school week to get some energy out.”

When Kabeer’s mother, Baseemah Salgado, completed the 5K she said it was intense. “Sheldon is known to put a lot of thought into planning the course,” Salgado said.

Subith said it took about 11 hours to prep the course; five hours to walk it and mark it and six hours to chalk intersections and post directional signs and colored ribbons.

Brad Brunner of Menifee placed second in the 5K Overall category, his first race in more than a year. “I loved it here,” he said. “This was the hardest race I’ve run, and I’ve been running 5Ks for 55 years. It sure felt good to come across the finish line.”

Encouraging him and documenting his run on her cell phone was girlfriend Fay Bancroft. The couple met exactly one year ago at church. Although he retired two years ago, Brunner said he stays fit by going to the gym to lift weights and using a StairMaster at home. He is a born-again Christian, who said, “My faith in Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life.”

Noli Indian School Booster Club members and teachers were on hand to help with refreshments and high fives as runners finished the race and received participation medals. Noli Principal and Soboba Tribal member Donovan Post chose to walk the 5K. “I don’t need the tee shirt or medal; I just like being out there and getting my 10,000 steps in,” he said.

Some of the proceeds from the race will benefit the Culture department as well as the running club at Noli. Subith was grateful for all the sponsors that stepped up to support this year’s race.

More than 10 volunteers from Soboba’s Department of Public Safety and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department were posted at water stations out on the course. Soboba Fire Explorers members helped where needed.

Four marathoners included Rachel Metzger, whose sister Chelsea Gonzalez ran the half marathon. Their children participated in the 3k and the 5k races, all doing extremely well.

With the sounds of bird calls overhead and wind whistling through the trees, runners had a lot to enjoy as they made their way along the trail. Aside from all runners receiving a participation medal, the top three finishers in each division received an extra one to commemorate their success.

The 5K category saw three young Native boys in a very close race. Jose Leon was first at 29 minutes, 39 seconds; Ezekiel Gonzalez was second at 29 minutes, 44 seconds; and Ben Metzger came in third at 29 minutes, 45 seconds.

“The NATRO race gets better every year,” Subith said. “This year we got more community involvement, which is the main thing.”

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Before driving out, Soboba Tribal Council Chairman Isaiah Vivanco welcomed all attendees. There were 42 foursomes on the first day, 50 on day two and 36 on the final day.

“We can’t be more grateful for your support; we couldn’t do this without our sister Tribes as well as our corporate partners,” he said. “On behalf of the Tribe and Foundation, we thank you.”

Soboba Foundation President Andy Silvas said he knows how much goes into organizing this event and thanked all those who made it happen.

Soboba Casino Resort General Manager and Tournament Director Jason Cozart reminded players of the rules and told them to have fun. He said, “The success of this annual event is evident by its growth over the past 14 years and that would not have been possible without you. Your generosity has allowed us to help local nonprofi­ts meet their goals and fulfill their missions.”

More than 40 nonprofits submitted a qualified written application as well as a 30-second video detailing why they should be considered as a beneficiary by the Soboba Foundation Board of Directors. Since each selected group had the potential of receiving $10,000, they also were asked to describe how the funding would be utilized.

“The videos were an important part of the process, as they helped put a face to the name and gave the Board a more personal connection to each applicant,” Sponsorship Coordinator Andrew Vallejos said.

All chosen organizations were required to promote the tournament in addition to providing 10 volunteers for the tournament on a designated day. Tara and Joey Placencia were co-coordinators for the volunteers once again this year. They were joined by six immediate family members who also donated their time for the event and helped with pre-tournament duties such as preparing gift packages for the players.

Arriving each morning before 6 a.m., Tara and Joey made sure everyone knew their station and what they needed to do for the day. Some were assigned to the beverage station while others were set up at different holes around the course for golfers to have fun with other games such as football pass or cornhole craze. Scoring high in these contests gave players an opportunity to win fabulous prizes at the evening’s banquet at the SCR Event Center.

“The new beverage station at golf check-in worked very well, and it was very well received by everyone,” Vallejos said. “Guests really enjoyed it, and it helped create a welcoming experience at the start of each day. We liked it very much and would definitely consider using it again in the future, while continuing to look for ways to improve efficiency.”

Tara Placencia agreed and welcomed the opportunity to assign required volunteers to the beverage station. This ensured it was fully staffed throughout the check-in process and gave volunteers the opportunity to connect with the players on their assigned day.

“We ask the organizations to provide 10 volunteers so we had some who could help when different casino resort departments requested extra help,” said Tara, who has been part of the charity golf tournament for the past 10 years.

Everyone in attendance was given the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for some amazing prizes housed in a room adjacent to the banquet room. There was also a grand prize winner of $14,000 in cash each night for those who purchased $50 or more in raffle tickets.

This year’s deserving nonprofits were 7G Foundation, Care-A-Van Transit Systems, Daughter of Soboba, Dream the Impossible, EXCEED, Hemet Youth Wrestling, Lifeworks ATP, Native American Land Conservancy, Oak Grove Center, and San Jacinto Lions Club.

The 7G Foundation is a collection of entrepreneurs, coaches and Tribal leaders building on the strength of their ancestors to mold the next seven generations of Native leaders through education, athletics, culture, and real-world support. Funding will support their annual Indigenous Bowl.

Care-A-Van offers free transportation for elderly and disabled individuals to access critical services and resources. Volunteers from the transit systems’ partner agencies included Teresa Suarez and her daughter Angelica. “Everything ran smoothly,” said Teresa, who helped make sure all coolers were filled throughout the day. Czaia Velazquez and Jessica Lacayo worked the Dartboard Chip game at Hole 1. Their enthusiasm got players off to a good start. “I love it, I’m having a good time,” Care-A-Van dispatcher Velazquez said.

The Daughter of Soboba ($ovóova Po’$wáamay) seeks to strengthen the cultural connections between elders, young women, and girls in order to create a cycle of learning, connecting, and sharing with one another. Dream the Impossible encourages Native youth to dream big and engage in new experiences and provides Native youth exposure to college campuses.

EXCEED provides services and supports that empower individuals with disabilities to explore opportunities, make informed choices, and achieve greater independence. Funds from the charity golf tournament will support its year-round Art in the Park community-based creative arts program. “Everyone is so nice and the players are respectful and having fun,” said volunteer Jennifer Herrera.

Hemet Youth Wrestling introduces San Jacinto Valley area youth to the sport of wrestling within a safe, fun and challenging environment. Lifeworks ATP is a Hemet Unified School District transition program for special education students ages 18-22 that strives to equip every adult student with skills towards independence. Teachers Abby Smith, Kazryn Gess and Sharyl Adams Williams were among the 10 volunteers who spent day two on the course on behalf of the Lifeworks program. Several of the volunteers began their shift at 6 a.m., helping with check-in. Funding the organization received will help with field trips to museums and local workplaces, along with overall program operations.

Native American Land Conservancy is an intertribal nonprofit founded in 1998 to acquire, preserve, and protect sacred lands. Funds from their participation in this year’s event will support the Land Back Initiative project to return state school lands to Tribal communities.

Oak Grove Center rebuilds the lives of at-risk children and their families through education, healing, restoring relationships, building character, and instilling hope. Being a recipient this year will help them expand their mental health treatment services. Development Director Romy Fazeli spent the first day at Hole 12 with colleague Erick Montejo cheering on those taking part in the Football Pass game. “Everyone has been great; we’re excited to be here,” Fazeli said. Jean Bacher has been a youth support worker at Oak Grove for 10 years but was at the charity golf tournament for the first time. “I love it,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to engage with the community and see everyone supporting nonprofits.”

The San Jacinto Lions Club has a long-standing commitment to community service, with a strong focus on supporting the blind and visually impaired. Past District Governor Ken Reed said being one of the lucky recipients from this year’s event will be a big help to the club whose services are provided to those less fortunate in the community. Funds will be used to support the “Dance for Fun” program that offers a free social and inclusive event for individuals with disabilities.

The energy was at an all-time high level out on the golf course and at the Event Center, thanks in part to the upbeat tunes spun by DJ Mike Nevarez aka Da Chef who also kept things on schedule by making important announcements at both locations.

Vendors dotted the course with a huge variety of food and drinks. Roadrunner Express store manager Tony Brimer and Assistant Manager Ruby Arrietta were set up at Hole 4 with a snack station. Offering plant-based Yerba Mate drinks with organic caffeine and grab and go snacks, visitors were also treated to a lip balm delivered in the shape of a golf ball. Soboba Tribal member Arrietta said she was happy to be part of the tournament. “I like to represent and do for my people,” she said. Sergio Ramon, founder of Grips on the Go, replaced club grips for those who asked. He offered all colors and designs, including one that was customized for the tournament.

Charles Berglund is SCR’s Executive Director of Facilities and Public Works. He said the event is always a highlight for him because it brings together so many people they don’t get to see often. “Our vendors, sponsors, along with the Soboba Foundation and the Soboba Casino Resort team, join forces to create an event that’s top tier in every way,” Berglund said. “It’s always rewarding to hear positive feedback about the event and our course, and it reinforces why it’s so special to be a part of it.”

Another attraction was the opportunity for players to interact with one of Soboba’s newest employees, Pond Manager Hitch. Already a social media star, the border collie from North Carolina has found a beautiful home at Soboba Springs Golf Course. Handler Aaron Kelsey is the superintendent of the golf course and said Hitch traverses water features three times a day to chase away waterfowl such as ducks and geese. “He has become a little rock star,” Kelsey said. See Hitch in action on Instagram at www.instagram.com/reel/DUouFlVj7jn.

SCR Promotions Manager Corryn Salgado Flores said the tournament went very smoothly for the team this year. “The vibes on the course were calm all around and it really did make for a great experience. The highlight for me was seeing my team work in sync with all the other departments, vendors, volunteers, and golfers,” she said. “Hearing all of our vendors and guests say, ‘Everyone is so friendly and nice here,’ multiple times lets us know we’re doing something right. There is a lot of prep for this event and as long as the guest experience is amazing, all of the hard work is worth it.”

Soboba continues to strengthen the community, one swing at a time. Always rooted in the tradition of giving back, this signature event has everyone playing for purpose year after year.

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“Thank you for always supporting the school and our students,” he said. “I’m always happy to see so many of you turn out year after year for nearly two decades. I really believe this event will outlive us all.”

Post introduced Culture Department Coordinator and Instructor Tashina Miranda Ornelas, who has been at the school for more than 20 years, and was instrumental in starting this annual event.

“When we were preparing for the first one, it was a big thing and we didn’t know if people were going to come out,” she said. “We thought maybe it would only be for one year, but it continues to build thanks to support from the school board, staff, students and the community.”

Ornelas said she is happy to see former students attend, some of whom have children who are now attending Noli.

“It’s been a great thing to pass on,” she said. “The main reason we wanted to have this event at the school is for cultural education purposes and bringing the community together. This school is not about just one Tribal nation or reservation. Many students who come to this school have family and community members from all over Southern California and beyond.”

Damon Miranda provided the blessing and invited everyone to “come together and enjoy each other’s company and share traditions with one another.” He then led three social bird songs before the festivities got underway.

The event also highlighted the hard work that students put in through their involvement in ASB and AVID. ASB Vice President Nevaeh Ochoa, a junior from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, served as emcee for some fun games.

The first was a watermelon eating contest. After a few tense minutes, sophomore Johnathan Gladin was declared the winner. His prize was a hand beaded watermelon slice necklace created by Victoria Boiso. He happily presented it to his sister, Samantha Gladin, who is a freshman at the school.

The water balloon toss attracted about half of the student body, which is approximately 100 students in grades 6 through 12. Teams of two were required to toss water balloons back and forth as the distance between the two rows was steadily increased. Emerging as winners were eighth-grader Su-Kutt Morreo and sixth-grader Meeqas Soto.

After a team sack race and egg balancing race, Nevaeh used the opportunity of having everyone’s attention to recognize the AVID program’s 8th Grade Standout, Monica Rivera.

“This award honors a student selected by their AVID teacher for outstanding academic performance, leadership, and commitment to their school community,” she said. “This student consistently shows up ready to help, both in the classroom and at school events. She excels academically, takes on leadership roles with confidence, and is never afraid to speak up or take on challenges. Her determination and positive impact truly make her, and AVID, stand out.”

The final game is one of the most popular. With a balloon tied at the ankle, participants must pop the balloon worn by their opponents, using only their feet. The goal is to be the last one standing with an inflated balloon. The first round, played by older students, saw brothers Edgar and Johnathan Gladin facing off with the latter emerging as the winner. Younger children were then invited to play and seventh-grader Angel Olaez won gobs of candy and snacks for winning that game.

The Nuukwanish Singers and Dancers from the Pechanga Band of Indians have been attending the Noli Gathering for many years. Rob Villalobos explained the cultural significance of each song that was performed. Dancers in colorful bird skirts, most of them Noli students, continued to join in throughout the morning.

Featuring traditional bird singing, dancing, and games throughout the 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. event, guests were also treated to a lunch of grilled hot dogs and chicken provided by Tribal Chef Anita Morillo and her team. Local vendor Frybread Kitchen offered delicious accompaniments of homemade frybread, tortillas, chili beans, and rice, all served by Noli staff members.

Culture students helped construct ramadas to provide shade for elders and others who were seated around the perimeter of one of the school’s central courtyards. Beading class students also donated some beautiful items to be raffled off, as did members of the Beading Club.

Education was also evident with a table filled with free books offered by teacher Jacquelin Phillips. Also present were representatives from various colleges sharing the programs they have for Native American students. UCR and Cal State San Bernardino were among those that offered information as well as lots of takeaways from their tables.

“It’s extremely important to have this experience for the students to participate in,” said CSUSB Specialized Outreach Counselor Emily Clarke, who is Cahuilla.

Mt. San Jacinto Community College’s Native American Student Support and Success Program was explained by its director, Cuauhtli T. Ramos, who works at the San Jacinto campus. He said the program helps Native students with technology needs as well as financial support through grocery and gas cards if needed. They also host culturally relevant events on their campuses.

Elizabeth Shulterbrandt is assistant director for outreach and access for Native student programs at the University of Redlands. She said the school has a very comprehensive business program as well as its well-known Conservatory of Music department.

Grand Canyon University Admissions Counselor Adana Garrett said her school is the largest Christian university in the nation with 26,000 students attending in person at the Arizona campus and more than 100,000 who are enrolled in its online programs.

Noli science teacher and AVID co-coordinator Sabrina Smith said three juniors were accepted into the College Horizons all-Native program being held at UC, Berkeley in June. All expenses are paid aside from transportation so AVID students were hosting a chia lemonade fundraiser to help. Seniors also held a basket raffle to raise funds for their end-of-year senior trip.

Soboba Elder Marian Chacon has a niece at Noli and she enjoys attending each year. “I like to see everybody getting together and seeing the kids dancing and participating in different events,” she said.

Leandrea Armijo is a former Noli student and looks forward to the Gathering every year. Her niece, Aydreean Rose Garcia, is in eighth grade there. “It’s definitely gotten a lot bigger over the years,” she Armijo said. “There are a lot more youth participating in the dancing and it’s great to see traditions getting passed down.”

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“When I saw what these young men had done to bring the community together, I wanted to be part of it to make it an annual event,” Boxing for Christ Founder Sonia Ramos said. She and Vincent Arres, SBC Vice President, collaborated to create a free event for the whole community to come together.

“The event is mostly a bike meet-up centered around good food, music, and good vibes,” Arres said. “It is really about bringing people together. We are grateful to everyone who has stepped up to support, donate, and help make the event possible.”

Riders and others were greeted at the park with donuts, Danishes and orange juice at 10:30. Volunteers were on hand to do some serious cooking to treat riders to a filling lunch of tacos, chicken, carne asada and fish with rice and beans after their return. Each rider was awarded a medal for participating. Sonia Lamas with LAMAS Housing Project, a Hemet-based nonprofit, served snow cones and Cynthia Rodriguez brought some delicious cookies from Cynthia’s Sweet Treats.

“Our goal is to bring the community together in a healthy way,” Ramos said. “We want the community to come together and meet people and have a good time. It takes a village to raise these youth and the community and business leaders have shown that they care about the youth in the community.”

She said many of the kids from Boxing for Christ participated this year, some on bikes and some on scooters. “That is why we try every year to give away more bikes,” Ramos said. “There are a lot of kids that don’t have bikes, so they use their scooters, but when they win a bike the next year, they are happy and ready to go on the new bike.”

Arres said e-bikes are allowed as well. “We do encourage our more experienced riders to keep an eye out for fellow riders and help make sure everyone stays safe and together,” he said.

The Ride the Valley Together pedaled off from Sallee Park in San Jacinto, rode out past the Hemet Public Library near Latham Ave. and State St. and then to the Gibbel Park Skate Park on Devonshire Ave. in Hemet before riding back to Sallee Park, where Boxing for Christ is headquartered.

“What I enjoyed most was seeing the community really show up for each other,” Arres said. “Seeing the lowriders, families, kids, businesses (big and small), and riders from different areas all in one place. We had a few small tire issues, but overall, it was a smooth ride. We were getting honks from drivers all through the city showing love—good vibes—and it felt good seeing people get out of the house in a healthy way and just be together.”

Arres gave a big shoutout to San Jacinto Mayor Crystal Ruiz, Mayor Pro Tem Clarisa Sanchez, and Councilmember Valerie Vandever. “They rode the entire ride like champs, and it meant a lot to have leadership out there riding with the community,” he said. “Huge thank you to the San Jacinto City Council as a whole, and to everyone who came out and took the time to spend the day with us.”

Other riders included Wolf Jones, who participated last year as well. He said it’s always been an amazing time for him and his family, who joined him riding last year. “Although this year I was riding on my own, my family followed behind in our car but still enjoy the festivities and the family-friendly environment.” After attending local school with some Soboba Tribal members, he said it was like a full-circle moment to be riding with them as adults now.

Kenny Gonzalez is involved with the Soboba Bike Crew and was glad to be part of the ride for the third time. “They are my good friends,” he said. “We met about four years ago riding bikes and our friendship grew from there. This year’s highlight was seeing the kids riding their bikes with mom or dad or other family members. “It was awesome; it brings the community together,” Gonzalez said.

The Soboba Bike Crew is active all year long, usually meeting two or three times a week. The club started with about nine members and has grown to 20-plus when everyone is out riding together. Charles Resvaloso serves as SBC President, but Arres pointed out that if the leaders aren’t available, other ResLyfrz will step up and run it so everything keeps moving and the group continues riding. Arres said the growth has been amazing to see. He also has seen many families on and off the Soboba Reservation buying more bikes and getting involved. Co-hosting the annual Ride the Valley Together is such a great extension of what the club does.

“We never thought that this event would grow the way it has,” Ramos said. “Now it’s up to Vincent and me to keep this event going every year.” Arres said they are proud of what they are building.

“The kids had a great time receiving medals and prizes and I loved seeing the smiles on everybody’s faces,” Ramos said. “And having city council members involved in the run and the mayor helping was great.”

San Jacinto Councilmember Valerie Vandever has participated in this event since its inception and loves the community outreach and seeing young and old riders come together. She said a highlight was seeing the kids’ faces when they won raffle prizes, including brand new bikes.

“It just gets bigger and bigger every year,” Vandever said. “I am able to ride my heart out and hang out with my community and enjoy the event. The mayor and mayor pro tem also showed up this year, so it was the first time I didn’t ride alone.”

The city advertised the event on social media and through word of mouth.

“It means a lot to see the growth and support around something that started small and continues to bring people and families together in a good way,” Arres said. “Support has continued to grow from the community since the very first ride. It started with the support of our families and Sonia’s family’s support, and from there more people continued to step in. People have been offering to be part of it because they share the same vision and goals of growing something healthy and positive for the community.”

Arres and Ramos are grateful for the businesses, individuals and groups that stepped up to donate and/or participate in this year’s event. They were SEDC/Roadrunner Express, San Jacinto Unified School District and the SJUSD Parent Center, San Jacinto City Council , Hemet Elks Lodge, Soboba Casino Resort, Valeous Law, Familia Car Club, HCSB, LAMAS Housing Project, Native Avenue, Fina Blend, Sevilla Portrait Studios, Chef Anita Morillo from Soboba Kitchen, Ladies are Optimists of Hemet, Orozco’s Taco Man (food vendor), Mike Saenz, Mia Basquez and Bianca Machado.

“We also want to shout out to the other bike crews/teams that came out and showed love, including Cruisin’ & Brew, Block Heads, and Los Frijoleros BMX, along with other local riders,” Arres said. “Some even donated merch and shirts for the raffles for the kids, which was really thoughtful.”

More information can be found on Instagram at res_lyfrz and on TikTok under SBC@reslyfrz. For information on Boxing for Christ, please visit https://boxingforchrist.com.

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The second panel consisted of Barona’s Chairman Raymond Welch, Chairman Vivanco, Chairwoman Erica M. Pinto of the Jamul Indian Village of California, Barona Fire Chief Ken Kremensky and Pechanga Fire Chief Jason Keeling.

“We stand here in the shadow of the 2003 fires that burned 90% of our reservation including 39 homes,” Welch said. “Our history on this 8,000-acre reservation is one of endurance but today that endurance is being tested by an insurance crisis that threatens our financial sovereignty for those of us living in high-risk areas. We now face a fire of a different kind—an economic one. This land is our past and our future. We continue to use our traditional knowledge and modern technology to keep us safe and we will fight to ensure that insurance costs never force a single member to leave their home.”

Vivanco said that through partnerships and the establishment of the Soboba Fire Department, the Soboba reservation’s public protection classification has gone from 3 to 2, which should mitigate the cost of insurance as it helps protect against fires in the area.

The ISO Public Protection Classification (PPC) in California rates fire department effectiveness on a 1-10 scale (1 best, 10 worst) based on dispatch, staffing, water supply, and community risk reduction. Lower scores usually yield lower insurance premiums but that has not been reflected for homeowners living on the Soboba Reservation.

“Our Tribe has been fortunate enough to purchase a bulldozer to create our own fire breaks; we go out yearly and take on that task with our fire department and Public Works crew,” Vivanco said. “We look to this committee and the state for support in helping our endeavors in achieving affordable home insurance so we can continue to build new homes on the lands that we are, I would say, forced to live on.”

As Ramos pointed out in his opening statement, the lands that Tribal communities sit on were not chosen. “Historic state and federal policies forced Indian people to live in the most secluded and rural areas of California,” he said.

“We embrace those lands because they are our communities,” Vivanco said. “We have done the work to create and maintain a safe environment to make sure that our homeowners can go out and hopefully achieve affordable insurance to protect their homes and their resources and yet we are still not seeing that.”

He would like to see the insurance providers visit the reservation and talk to the fire and Public Works departments to see the efforts that have been made to mitigate the risk of fire. “I look forward to further discussions where hopefully we can come to some type of resolution where the state and the Tribes can all be on the same page, working with insurance companies to ensure we have the ability to obtain insurance as it was meant to be,” Vivanco said.

Chairwoman Pinto voiced her concern that as the cost of insurance premiums rise, it strains Tribal budgets and can deter investment in critical infrastructure. “Insurance insecurity also translates to broader social and cultural consequences,” she said. “Home ownership and Tribal community housing are essential to Tribal sovereignty as Tribal housing can anchor cultural continuity, ensure intergenerational knowledge transfer and engender a stable family life. When insurance becomes prohibitively expensive or unavailable, Tribal members may be forced to seek housing outside our communities, undermining efforts to revitalize our Tribal homeland and traditions. Tribal cultural sites, ceremonial spaces and ancestral landscapes require protection that extends beyond simple rebuilding costs.”

Mitigation efforts were outlined by the two fire chiefs that were present. Ramos introduced the third panel members, State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Seren Taylor, who serves as Vice President for the Personal Insurance Federation of California. Lara discussed some of the legislation that is being presented that will hopefully resolve many of the issues brought to light at the hearing. He also suggested more meetings to discuss ongoing problems that Tribes are having with securing affordable insurance.

Vivanco said Soboba was rated in the top 2,000 of the 40,000 communities that were included in the latest PPC report. “We’ve always been taught to be good stewards of our lands that we have and that is part of it, making sure that we can mitigate the risk of fires to protect our reservation at the same time,” he said. He is hoping the insurance companies can appreciate the extra efforts they make and offer quality insurance at a decent rate. “I think that’s what we’re not getting and it’s frustrating because Tribes put in a lot of resources to these efforts,” Vivanco said. “Tribes are doing what’s right and always will.”

Ramos was in total agreement and said the point that was being established is that Tribal governments use their own assets to protect their homes against fires and natural disasters and the mitigation efforts they take on are benefiting the surrounding communities as well. Yet Tribal governments are not given credit for spending their own assets to help mitigate more than just their own lands. Instead, they are penalized with high insurance premiums.

“The purpose of this committee is to gain understanding and make sure California’s First Peoples are included in the equation when we take information back to the state legislature,” Ramos said.

To view the hearing in its entirety, please visit: https://www.assembly.ca.gov/media/assembly-select-committee-native-american-affairs-20260313.

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